If entrepreneurs had to choose one word to describe their life, you can bet that stress would be the most common answer. Indeed, running a business is a lot of stress. For many newcomers to the world of business management, it doesn’t compare to the pressure they’ve experienced as an employee. When you launch a company, you can’t rely on anybody to guarantee regular wages as long as your business reputation is not established. The fear of not knowing what tomorrow will bring or whether the business will still stand is devastating. Many enthusiastic entrepreneurs give up because they can’t handle the pressure.
Those who manage to survive the stress of a first-time business have a hard time adapting to their new work environment. Being an entrepreneur is a lonely job that isolates you from co-workers, friends, and family. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Loneliness kills
Being lonely doesn’t only affect your mental health, but it has a dramatic consequence on your health overall. Ultimately, physicians and researchers have found a connection between social isolation and mortality. The loneliness of entrepreneurship can hurt you in ways you may not be aware. It increases your risk of early death by up to 60%. While it doesn’t mean that entrepreneurs should abandon their business plans, it is vital to find a cure for your lonely job.
You’re not the only one to struggle with difficulties
First of all, while first-time business owners discover a variety of issues they didn’t even know existed, their struggles, doubts, and aspirations are far from being unique. Business networking events can prove highly useful by letting you meet like-minded entrepreneurs who know exactly what you’re going through. You can also tune in to a business podcast to hear everything about the challenges and obstacles that successful entrepreneurs have had to face to succeed. While knowing that others struggle with the same issues doesn’t resolve your problems or reduce your stress levels, it can, at the very least, help you to belong to a community.
Your relatives are your first supporters
Maintaining your work-life balance is tricky at the best of time. When you run your own business, you must resist the temptation to stay up late and work longer hours. Keeping your family close to you can provide a source of comfort and emotional support. Besides, it doesn’t matter how hard you’re working. Keeping in touch with the people who love you can help you to alleviate your stress. Don’t be shy; spend some time connecting with the kids over the summer or organize family get-togethers. You need them next to you as you go through the entrepreneurship journey.
Nobody expects you to cope alone
Last but not least, entrepreneurs are more vulnerable to depression as a result of their stressful and isolated work life. But, you need to know when to take care of yourself and when to push yourself. Nobody can go through high amounts of stress alone. More importantly, when your mental health suffers, your business struggles too. Coping as an entrepreneur also means knowing when to ask for help. A therapist can offer guidance to manage your negative emotions and reconnect with your life.
Life as an entrepreneur doesn’t have to be lonely. You can find support from other leaders, your family, and even therapy experts to help you avoid the deadly traps of loneliness. To stay on top, it’s best to be among friends.
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